Do People Think Men or Women Are More Creative?

Even when men and women have similar work and achievements, men are more likely to be viewed as creative thinkers, according to a study published in Psychological Science. The study suggests notions of creativity may be closely linked to stereotypes about masculinity.

Men, Women, and Creativity

Researchers conducted several small studies to evaluate the correlation between masculinity stereotypes and subjective notions of creativity. In the first study, which was conducted online, researchers randomly assigned 80 participants to read a passage that either described divergent thinking (sometimes known as “outside the box” thinking) or convergent thinking (commonly known as the ability to “connect the dots”).

After reading the passage, participants completed a survey rating the role of 16 personality traits in creativity. Participants rated stereotypically masculine traits, such as competitiveness and daring, as more closely associated with creativity than stereotypically feminine traits, such as understanding and cooperation.

In a second online study, 169 participants read about either an architect or a fashion designer. Some were told the subject was male, and others were told the subject was female. Then participants looked at his or her work and rated the work in its creativity, originality, and outside-the-box thinking.

As the researchers predicted, participants judged the male architect as more creative than the female architect, even though their work was identical. Researchers hypothesized that participants would not favor the male fashion designer as more creative because masculine stereotypes may be more difficult to apply in the field of fashion design. Researchers found no evidence of a gender disparity in the participants’ creativity ratings for the fashion designers.

Researchers then reviewed performance evaluations for senior executives who were also enrolled in master of business administration programs. Thirty-four of the executives were women, and 100 were men. Researchers found male executives were more likely to be called innovative in performance reviews from supervisors. However, direct reports tended to evaluate the same executives as similarly innovative, regardless of gender. This supports previous research findings that suggest those in higher power positions tend to rely on stereotypes when making judgments about others.

In another trial, 125 participants reviewed a passage about either a male or female manager. The passage described the manager’s strategic plan as either more or less risky—a stereotypical masculine trait. Participants who read about a male manager taking risks were more likely to call the manager creative, but the same effect did not occur for female managers who took risks.

Creativity’s Role in Workplace Discrimination

According to the American Association of University Women, women typically earn between 75 and 80 cents for every dollar a man earns. The gender pay gap tends to grow as men and women age, and more education may not solve it. Advice for women in workplaces that may facilitate gender-biased behavior often focuses on assertiveness or asking for a raise. This study’s authors suggest unconscious perceptions of creativity levels in men and women may subtly influence workplace decisions and behaviors, nurturing a climate in which men’s ideas may be more valued.

References:

Association for Psychological Science. (2015, September 28). Men more likely to be seen as ‘creative thinkers’. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 29, 2015 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150928123442.htm

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Harry

September 30th, 2015 at
12:04 PM

If anyone knew my wife they would never think of the male mind as superior in any way shape or form. She is hands down the smartest woman I know and she also has a really great and equally intelligent team of mostly female co workers with whom she and they together create some magnificent projects. Sad to see them hitting that glass ceiling over and over again.

paula

September 30th, 2015 at
3:33 PM

Soooo tired of the stereotyping that happens to us everyday in the workplace.
No matter how hard we try, there seems to be something or someone always trying to hold us back, and why? Our gender? we haven’t done enough throughout the years to prove ourselves worthy and MORE than capable?
Aaahhh it is so frustrating to even think that things could still be the same as they are right now when I send my own daughters out into the workplace in a few years.

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